We’re thrilled to announce we have enough people registered to confirm the Mississippi Living Legacy Pilgrimage, October 28-31, 2018!

We still have a few open seats, including one or two partial scholarships, so if you know of someone who’s been considering going and hasn’t committed yet, now is the time. Please encourage them to visit LLP Registration and register, on in the case of a scholarship applicant email us at livinglegacypilgrimage@gmail.com, as soon as possible.

PLEASE READ THIS BULLETIN CAREFULLY AS IT CONTAINS IMPORTANT INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE THE PILGRIMAGE.

TRAVEL INFORMATIONIt’s a good idea to begin exploring transportation options to and from Jackson, MS, i.e., flights, train schedules, bus routes, etc. so you can secure the best options and rates. We will meet in Jackson on Sunday, October 28 at 4:00 pm. Central Time for orientation and dinner, so plan to arrive with enough time to settle in and relax a little before things kick off.The program will end at 9:00 pm, Wednesday, October 31. Plan your departure anytime on Thursday, November 1. ​Please email us at livinglegacypilgrimage@gmail.com with your expected arrival time and mode of transportation. The taxi from the airport to the hotel runs high—around $50--If we can connect you with others who are arriving around the same time, we’re glad to do so.

FlightsIf you’re flying, arrange your flight into Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport to arrive in time for our 4 pm gathering on October 28th. If you need to arrive a day early, see information about the hotel below.Amtrak and busesJackson is serviced by Amtrak and by Greyhound and other bus lines.DrivingYou will be able to leave your car at the hotel without charge for the duration of your stay.HotelWe will be staying at:Cabot Lodge Jackson Millsaps Hotel2375 N State StJackson, MS 39202(800) 874-4737If you need to arrive the day before or stay an extra night, please contact the hotel and make your own reservation.If you arrive early and are hungry, one of the most accessible options is to have food delivered via the Waiter app. The hotel also serves an afternoon cocktail reception so you might want to ask about that when you check-in.PREPARING FOR THE TRIPFor you to get the most out of this experience, we hope you will do some advance reading and video watching. Our website, www.uulivinglegacy.org, offers a large number of resources (see Resources) covering both history and current developments in civil rights areas relevant to the Pilgrimage. We thought we would highlight a few good sources that you might find in your library or bookstore.BOOKSWeary Feet, Rested SoulsWe recommend that you purchase a copy of Weary Feet, Rested Souls by Townsend Davis to carry with you on the journey. It’s available from Amazon in print, both new and used copies, and Kindle editions, or you can order it from your favorite independent bookstore.Arranged by location, Weary Feet, Rested Souls describes each place we will visit, including maps, Movement history, photos, and quotes. It provides an excellent preliminary review of the significance of each site, and a helpful tool for remembering the places we visit and telling others about them back home. We will be telling you which pages describe each day’s itinerary.Civil Rights MovementFor a general look at the historic Civil Rights Movement, two books are exceptionally well done:Parting the Waters – America in the King Years, 1954-1963, by Taylor Branch – a comprehensive and informative summary of historic events with ML King, Jr. as a focus.The Children, by David Halberstam – Tells the stories of the young people in Nashville who formed the core of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, and what they have done with their lives since the Movement days.FILMSSeveral films (available as video, DVD or both) are well worth watching on your own. Some are available through streaming services or your local library. We will be using some visual materials on the bus, but will not have the time to include all segments of these excellent resources:

Eyes on the Prize: America's Civil Rights Years 1954-1965 by Henry Hampton - (available now in a 3 DVD set) We will view the Selma and Mississippi segments on the bus, but all sections are well worth watching ahead of time.The Blood of Emmet Till by Tim Tyson – the book responsible for the Justice Department re-opening the Emmet Till investigation in 2018.

Freedom Summer (2014) — describes the 10 weeks in 1964 when more than 700 student volunteers from around the country joined organizers and local African Americans to register voters in Mississippi.This is just a start. You’ll find more on our Resources page and many more with some searching around the Web. The more you know before the Pilgrimage the more you’ll gain from the Pilgrimage itself.FUTURE UPDATESYour planning team is working on finalizing the remaining details, and you should look for another bulletin from us over the next few weeks that will help you prepare and know what to expect. In the meantime, if you have questions, please visit our website at www.uulivinglegacy.org or feel free to e-mail us at livinglegacypilgrimage@gmail.com.See you in Jackson!